LP 40 For 40 – Christene Krupa Downs

The Plano Chamber of Commerce’s signature program, Leadership Plano, celebrates its 40^th anniversary! For the past 40 years, Leadership Plano has been dedicated to educating, developing, and empowering current and future leaders for the community and motivating them to serve civic, charitable, and business organizations.

We are celebrating the impact of the past 40 years by spotlighting 40 Leadership Plano graduates who have paved the way for future generations, created meaningful change for the community, and continue to serve in leadership roles. This celebratory series, Leadership Plano 40 for 40, is Presented by UBS – The Kravitz Group.

Introducing our next spotlight, Leadership Plano Class 22 Graduate, Christene “Chris” Krupa Downs, Attorney at Krupa Downs Law PLLC.

Chris focuses her practice on wills, trusts, advance directives, estate planning, guardianships, and probate. Licensed in 2010, she has over 13 years of legal experience handling estate planning, probate & guardianship legal matters for clients in Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano and throughout Collin, Dallas, and Denton counties.

In addition to her practice, Chris writes and lectures for local and state bar associations, and at legal seminars. She is a member of various professional organizations, including the Collin County Bar Association, where she serves on the Board of Directors, the Dallas Bar Association, and the Texas Bar College. She is also active in the State Bar of Texas.

As part of giving back to the Texas community, Chris serves as Chair of the board of the Wellness Center for Older Adults, an organization addressing the needs and concerns of Collin County’s older adult population and is treasurer of the Women’s Auxiliary to Plano Children’s Medical Center. She also serves on the board of the Junior League of Collin County as Community Strategic Director and is a former Treasurer and Executive Vice President of the organization. In 2022, Chris was recognized with the Athena Award by the Plano Chamber of Commerce and the Community Service by a Woman Lawyer award by the Collin County Women Lawyers Association.

Chris lives in Plano with her husband, David Downs, who shares a commitment to community service.

1. What first made you interested in participating in Leadership Plano?

Friends and colleagues including Marty McGee, David Downs, Buzz Kolbe, Nannette Pirek and others made me first interested in participating in Leadership Plano. I was at the start of my volunteer career and listening to them share their experiences and talk about the value of the program intrigued me! I felt that the program would help me learn more about Plano, Collin County, and leadership, and Leadership Plano me grow as a volunteer and community member.

2. What is the most memorable part of your experience (or what is something that was happening in Plano that you remember about that year)?

There are so many memorable moments from Leadership Plano Class 22 from our retreat where I was able to cheer on Robin Joseph-Williams and others on the ropes course – I was medically grounded but I could certainly be a cheerleader for my classmates! – to our class project supporting the Plano African American Museum. Yet, perhaps my most memorable experience was when the class did a timeline exercise of where we saw ourselves in the future. I wrote that I wanted to be a lawyer. Becoming a lawyer had been my lifelong dream. Yet, I walked a different path in my work. And, then when I put that in writing, it was as if the dream because a solid goal. In 2007, I started law school and I believe that without my Leadership Plano experience and the support of David, I won’t be a lawyer now!

3. Why do you think LP is so impactful for our community?

I think that Leadership Plano is so impactful because it allows participants to learn about so many facets of our community from history to government (both City and County), hospitals, and education system (just to name a few). With this exposure and understanding, we learn and grow as people. We see the issues and concerns facing our communities and we begin to see how we can work together to address these issues and concerns. I also must emphasize the relationship building part of the program. As a Leadership Plano participant, you develop a bond with your classmates and meet alumni and community leaders, leading you to build bonds and friendships that span the years and define you and your life. I have friendships from my experience in Leadership Plano 22 that exist today!

4. What is one thing you can attribute to LP that is a success in your life or career?

Do I really have to pick just one thing that I can attribute to Leadership Plano?! Seriously though, as I mentioned above, I attribute the realization of my dream to be a lawyer to Leadership Plano. I also attribute my membership in and involvement with the Junior League to Leadership Plano as many of the ladies I met in my Class were members. I feel that I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for Leadership Plano.

5. If your class had a class project, what was it and why was it important?

Leadership Plano 22 was the “Best Class Ever” because we supported each other and cheered each other on during the class year and after. And, you know something, this can be said for each and every class. Each one is the “Best Class Ever” because of the individuals participating in that class and what they learn and do together!